The impact of covid-19 on emergency laparotomy—an interim report of the national emergency laparotomy audit
Analysis of 10,546 patients having emergency laparotomy during March-Sep 2020 found 30-day mortality was 12.5% among Covid-19 positive patients (26% higher than predicted) and 7.2% among those who were negative.
Source:
The Royal College of Anaesthetists
SPS commentary:
The report states that the influence on mortality will need to be analysed further, and that the differences in mortality rates may be multifactorial.
Commenting on the research, the president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists said “We cannot ignore the serious impact a positive covid test has on the 30 day mortality rates for patients undergoing the surgery. We call on all clinicians to seriously consider covid infection status when planning care and discussing treatment options with patients and their families.